RT's 2010 NHL Mock Draft (Round #1)

For those of you who can't wait until Friday, the picks from the first round of the 2010 NHL entry draft are revealed here. The leagues general managers will be referencing the 2010 edition of RT's annual NHL draft rankings in order to make their picks. Take a look yourself if you haven't already.

Pick

Team

Choice

Comment

1

Edmonton

Taylor Hall

Edmonton is bit weak down the centre at present, but have some prospects at centre which relieves the temptation to select Sequin (C) over Hall (LW).Three out of four major rankings have Hall and the No. 1 prospect.Also, former Edmonton coach Pat Quinn implied that Hall was the player Edmonton planned to pick.

2

Boston

Tyler Sequin

The consensus No. 2 pick.Sequin has been compared to Joe Sakic.Boston needs a winger more than a centre.The possibility of Edmonton and Boston swapping picks is still out there.

3

Florida

Cam Fowler

Florida has depth at D and would prefer a centre, but with the next three top prospects defensemen it would be hard to draft purely for need with such a high pick.Look for Florida to potentially trade this pick; perhaps to Ottawa for Spezza.

4

Columbus

Erik Gubranson

Like Florida, Columbus has depth on D and would prefer to draft a winger.However, Gudbranson is too good a prospect to let go.This pick has already been rumoured to go to Ottawa for Spezza.

5

NY Islanders

Ryan Johansen

With depth at D and few good prospects at centre, the Islanders will take Johansen, the best centre available.

6

Tampa Bay

Brett Connolly

Tampa has right wingers and goalies in the system.They need a left winger or a centre.They will take Connolly or Niederreiter

7

Carolina

Brandon Gormley

Carolina could use a good defensive prospect and will be happy to get Gormley with the No. 7 pick.

8

Altanta

Nino Niederreiter

Atlanta is in no desperate need of any particular player and take the best prospect available, right-winger Niederreiter.

9

Minnesota

Mikael Granlund

Minnesota has lots of D in the pipe-line, but lack a good centre or right-wing prospect.They'll take Granlund (C) over Forbet (D).

10

NY Rangers

Derek Forbet

The Rangers have a few good defensive prospects, but as they say, you can never have enough depth on defence.

11

Dallas

Austin Watson

No, Dallas will not take Watson because his fist name is Austin.They could really use a left-wing prospect.

12

Anaheim

Vladimir Tarasenko

The Ducks could use a winger and will take Vladimir Tarasenko (RW) who they hope will be a steal at No. 12.

13

Phoenix

Alexander Burmistrov

Drafting a centre will give the Coyotes some insurance in case Kyle Turris (3rd overall in 2007) doesn't pan out.

14

St. Louis

Nick Bjugstad

With a couple of good goaltender prospects and a top defensive prospect in Alex Pietrangelo, the Blues will take centre Bjugstad.

15

Florida

Evgeny Kuznetsov

If the Panthers take a top defensive prospect at No. 3 look for them to draft for need (at centre) with the No. 15 pick acquired from Boston.

16

Ottawa

Emerson Etem

With depth at D and great prospect in goal (Robin Lehner), the Senators will not take the best player available (as they have claimed they will do) and instead draft the best forward available, Emerson Etem (RW).

17

Colorado

Jack Campbell

With several of their top prospects as defensemen, Colorado will take their goaltender of the future, Jack Campbell.

18

Nashville

Mark Pysyk

Nashville would prefer to take a winger, esp. a right-winger, but will not pass up on defenseman Mark Pysyk.

19

Los Angeles

Tyler Pitlick

LA would prefer a winger, but will take the best player available, centre Tyler Pitlick.That is unless they decide to go with left-winger John McFarland.

20

Pittsburgh

Quinton Howden

Pittsburgh has three top centres on the roster today, but lack good centre prospects for the future.As such, they'll take the best one available.

21

Detroit

Riley Sheahan

Like Pittsburgh, Detroit will take the best centre available.

22

Phoenix

Jonathon Merrill

If Phoenix takes a centre with their first pick, they simply take the best player available with their second first rounder, Jonathon Merrill (D).

23

Buffalo

Dylan McIlrath

With no glaring needs, Buffalo will be happy to take a quality defenseman.

24

Chicago

Calvin Pickard

The 'Hawks had to give up Byfuglien to dump salary, but this pick (acquired in the trade) will help them stay a contender in the future.Unsure about their goaltending, Chicago will take Calvin Pickard.

25

Vancouver

John McFarland

Where did all the defenseman go?Earlier teams deep at the backend were passing over or reluctantly taking defencemen.Now, the Canucks who need to stock up on defensive prospects are looking a bunch of forwards.Look for Vancouver to trade up a few spots to get a defenseman.If they do not, they will take left-winger John McFarland.

26

Washington

Jaden Schwartz

Looking for help at centre, Washington will happily take a centre at No. 26.

27

Montreal

Brock Nelson

Montreal was probably expecting to draft a bit earlier this year. They'll take Broack Nelson (C) with the No. 27 pick.

28

San Jose

Stanislav Galiev

In need of a winger, the Sharks will take Galiev (RW) over other centres available.

29

Philadelphia

Tyler Toffoli

Like Montreal the Flyers might be wishing they had a better pick.No worries, Philadelphia will be very happy with Tyler Toffoli (C).

30

Chicago

Charlie Coyle

After taking a goaltender with the No. 24 pick, the 'Hawks will follow up by adding some depth at centre.